Hansi Flick talks Yamal, Cubarsi, Fermin, tactics, referees ahead of Real Madrid vs Barcelona

After a scintillating start to life as the manager of FC Barcelona, Hansi Flick is all set to face his first-ever El Clasico as Real Madrid host the Catalans at the Santiago Bernabeu tomorrow night.

Barcelona go into the game in high spirits after thrashing Bayern Munich 4-1 in the UEFA Champions League earlier this week. They already have a three-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga and a victory tomorrow would see them further strengthen their grip at the top.

On the eve of the game, Barça manager Hansi Flick spoke to the media during his usual pre-match press conference, talking about his tactics and approach for the blockbuster encounter at the Bernabeu.

On the Clasico and his tactics for the game

Kicking things off, Flick said that he did not read much into the fact that it will be his first-ever El Clasico and is just focused on preparing the team well.

“To be honest, I don’t think too much about it, what matters is to prepare the team well, I can see that we are looking forward to tomorrow’s game. It will be a great game,” the Barcelona boss said.

Flick’s Barça have largely employed a high-defensive line this season and as such will be put to a stern test by Real Madrid, who possess pacy forwards like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. Talking about how he will approach the situation, Flick said:

“We have different ideas in our approach. Against Bayern we realised that we had to improve certain things. In this case we will have to adapt to Madrid. There are always players who go very fast.

“Now we are playing Madrid, who are a very prepared team but I trust my team because they are doing great. I liked to see how we went up after the 1-1 draw against Bayern.

“That’s the example of what we are doing well, with more possession and more confidence. That’s the key, to keep moving forward and adapting to different situations.”

On whether it affects his team that they had a day’s rest less than Real Madrid, the German head coach replied:

“At the end of the day, this can’t be changed. They played on Tuesday and we played on Wednesday. Everyone does their own thing. The players will know how to adapt.”

Barcelona have become very adept at catching opposition forwards offside this season, finding a different way to stop attacks. When asked about how he trained the players for that, Flick said:

A lot of coaches look at this, it’s our philosophy. The idea is to press as hard as possible with and without the ball. We have to get closer and closer, be a compact unit and not leave spaces, because when we leave gaps between the lines it’s not good.

“Against Bayern we did great. Of course, it’s not easy to train this and we will have to adapt the training sessions to this kind of game. The players have adapted very well to these new changes in training.”

On individuals

Fermin Lopez made his first start after returning from injury against Bayern Munich and excelled. When asked if the La Masia ace will feature from the start against Real Madrid, Flick replied:

“I haven’t decided yet. In the last goal against Bayern, he was very involved with the ball, indeed. He is showing that he is capable of doing what we ask of him. That he showed this performance in the last game was a great sign.”

On whether he has given any special advice to Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, the manager said:

“I always talk to the players. As I always say, we have a very good team. Lamine is an exceptional player who is doing very well, but so is Cubarsi, when we see what he is doing at 17 years old. We need them all at their best for tomorrow.”

On how he can help Yamal get even better, Flick stated: “Especially for the Bayern game we wanted him to press Davies because when they were attacking down that flank he was important.

“We were pleased to see that he did what I asked him to do, using the space to perfection. You could see that in the game against Bayern. Although it is also very important for us that he can improve in defence. The times we have for him he is fulfilling them to perfection.”

Talking about Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany’s immense praise for Pau Cubarsi, Flick remarked:

“It’s great to be able to see how he plays, to see how he’s always hungry to train hard and keep growing. Cubarsi is doing an incredible way and our task is to keep doing the same job.”

On Real Madrid and RMTV

Real Madrid’s official broadcast channel ‘RMTV’ has become infamous for posting videos criticising match officials before and after matches, as a tactic to put them under pressure.

Giving his two cents on the practice, Flick said: “I didn’t know, I don’t think it’s right that this is done. I think the referees do a great job, it’s very difficult their job. I have never had any problems with them.

“We have to focus on the performance, never on the referee. If there is an action that is not clear, it is checked and that’s it.”

When a journalist asked him if he was aware about things that happen at the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of his first visit with Barcelona, Flick replied:

“No, I didn’t. Tell me what happens there.”

When further probed by the same reporter insinuating that Real Madrid get favourable treatment from referees, Flick did not bite, saying:

“I have given my answer before. I’ve been to the Bernabeu before, with Bayern Munich and nothing special happened.”

Concluding, Flick stated that while hearing praise for his work and the team’s performance is nice, he is aware of what needs to be done and remains focused only on that.

“The praise doesn’t put more pressure on me, it’s nice to be praised but I know what my job is, which depends on results. That’s why I focus on us winning, on the game, on how we want to play tomorrow.

“It’s true that the situation in the city has changed, because the connection with the team is huge. On Wednesday there was an incredible atmosphere in Barcelona. That’s why I work every day, to make sure the fans are happy.

“In Germany we have a lot of derbies, but the Madrid-Barça is the classic in capital letters.”

Source: AS